BROOKLYN, Ill. (AP) — St. Clair County prosecutors have dismissed 21 criminal cases investigated by a village police force that was the target of a recent state raid.
State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly declined to discuss why he tossed out the Brooklyn Police Department arrests for drug possession, weapons violations and other offenses.
Illinois State Police and St. Clair sheriff’s deputies confiscated weapons, computers and documents in a March 25 raid. The village police chief resigned after Kelly questioned the role of a towing company that contracts with Brooklyn police and is owned by a relative of a since-fired village officer. Another officer was fired for taking a weapon from the police evidence room.
The Belleville News-Democrat reports that two other Brooklyn officers have since resigned, leaving only four officers on the payroll.
